-īb(ə)rē, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English briberie, from Middle French briberie, brimberie act of begging, from briber, brimber + -erie -ery
1. obsolete : robbery or theft : extortion
2. : the act or practice of giving or taking a bribe : the act of influencing the action of another by a bribe
bribery and legislative favors were in his opinion legitimate party instruments — Helen C. Boatfield